14-year-old shot, killed in East Hills; search for gunman continues

PITTSBURGH — A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed early Sunday morning in the East Hills, Pittsburgh police said.

The medical examiner identified the victim as Kelvin Lovelace, of Wilkinsburg, who was pronounced dead at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

• Jury sentences Jordan Clemons to death for first-degree murder of Karissa Kunco
• Town rallies around student told to remove American flag
• Grandmother upset after grandson, students with special needs singled out in yearbook
• 'King of the Blues' blues legend B.B. King dead at age 89

Police said the shooting was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. on East Hills Drive.

According to Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Sonya Toler, officers found a crowd of about 200 people when they arrived at the scene.

"Apparently there was some sort of something going on where there was a large crowd of people and that entailed us calling officers from other zones and neighboring police authorities,” said Toler.

Authorities said they are not sure why the crowd had gathered.

Meanwhile, police said they are reviewing surveillance cameras in the area in an attempt to identify the shooter. Authorities also said they have been made aware of a Facebook post in which someone allegedly confessed to shooting Lovelace, but the investigation is still in its early stages.

Family and friends visited on Monday and added to a growing memorial for the 14-year-old victim.

"He cared about himself, and he cared about others. That should be highly noted, that he cared about others and he respected each and every one of us,” said Demetri Billard, a friend of Lovelace’s family.

Stuffed animals, candles and handwritten letters were left at the site for Lovelace, who his family and friends said was nicknamed “Fats” because he was a heavyset boy who grew into a competitive and athletic young man.

"He used to work out, play football, play basketball. He kept everybody happy,” said Cai’lin Anderson, Lovelace’s cousin.

Family and friends told Channel 11 News that they’re still trying to understand what happened to Lovelace.

"It's too early. He was only 14 years old. He didn't deserve this at all,” said Anderson.

WPXI